Silent call signal



J. L. DUNN SILENT CALL SIGNAL Filed Feb. 4, 1925 Oct. 19 1926.

Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

UlTED STATES JOSEPH L. DUNN, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SILENT CALL SIGNAL.

Application filed February 4, 1925.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in silent call signals, and has for its object to provide for the elevation of a signal member by gravity, so utilized as to avoid the quick starting or stopping otthe mechanism, thus preventing jar or noise in the operations of the device.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the device that the entire mechanism will be concealed under the general form of a lamp stand, the base of which provides for the reception of a specially constructed ash tray.

With these and other ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and. then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1, is a central vertical section of the signal stand, the signal member being in elevation.

Fig. 2, is a plan viewof Fig. 1.

Fig. 8, is a central plan view of one section of the ash tray.

Fig. 4, is an elevation of Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, 1 represents a base which may be cast or otherwise formed and in the center of this base is secured the lower end of the tube or hollow standard 2 having a cap 3 enclosing its upper end. A rod 4: passes through a suitable hole in the cap 3 and eX- tends downward in the hollow standard and has threaded upon its lower end a guide disc 5, said disc having wrench holes 6 therein for screwing it on and off in assembling or disassembling. This arrangement provides for the free up and down movement of the rod 4 while always maintaining it in a central vertical position.

represents a weight which is fitted to slide up and down within the hollow standard 2 and this weight has a bore 8 through the center thereof for the passage of the rod 4. To this weight is attached a cord or flexible wire 9 which runs over the small ulley 10, the latter being journalled in the hanger 11 depending from the tower end of the cap 3, the other. end of this cord at Serial No. 6,752.

tached at 12 to the rod l thus harnessing the rod and weight together so that the downward pull of gravity upon said weight which is heavier than the rod will tend to move the rod upward, while the pushing down of the rod will draw said weight upward.

The rod 4 is normally held against upward movement by the latch 13 adapted to engage the groove 14 formed in said rod and from this latch a stem 15 extends horizontally outward through the standard 2 and carries upon its outer end a push button 16 and between this push button and the standard a coil spring 17 is confined, said spring normally holding the latch in engagement with the groove 1 A housing 18 secured to the standard 2 encloses the spring 17 and forms a guide for the push button.

18 is ahandle or thumb piece extending through a slot 19 in the standard and having its inner end threaded into the rod 4, thus providing a convenient means for forcing the rod downward after it has been elevated by the actionof the weight 7 as before described. Upon the upper end of' the rod 4 is mounted a signal member 20, here shown as a ball, and when in its normally lowered position this ball is housed by a shade 21 carried by the upper end of the standard 2, the top of said shade having'an opening 22 of sufiicient size to permit the signal mem ber to freely pass therethrough.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved silent signal will be obviously as follows:

Normally the rod l is held in its depressed position so that the ball 20 will be concealed from general View when the device is in place upon a public dining room table and when it is desired to attract the attention of a waiter or attendant it is only necessary to press the push button 16 thereby releasing the rod 4 and permitting the weight 7 by the pull of gravity to elevate said rod and with it the ball 20, said ball passing through the opening 22 and into prominent View.

When the service thus signalled for has been rendered the signal member is readily returned to its normally housed position by depressing the handle 18, thereby drawing down the rod while simultaneously elevating the weight until the groove 14 registers With the latch 13 when the latter will be forced into engagement with, said groove by the action of the spring 17 and it isto be noted that on account of the cord 9 being attached to the weight oli the center of the latter there is a tendency to cant the weight thus creating a certainamount or friction-or drag of the weight upon the inner walls of thestandard, thereby making the upward movement of the signal relatively slow and preventing any jar or snap incident to quick and sudden movements.

The base 1 being of saucer shape provides for the reception of the two sections of the ash tray 23 and each of these sections has a semi-circle 23 formed in its flat wall so as to fit around the hub 25 of the base. The circular walls of the sections of the ash tray are flared outward and project above the upper, edge of the base so as to provide for the ready lifting of the sections from the base for conveying away the debris and cleansing the tray.

The ash tray not only serves the purpose of receiving ashes and the like but also is intended to give increased weight to the base for more firmly. holding the signal in place upon a table and preventing its being upset.

It will be seen that by my improvement an exceedingly simple, compact and ornamental device is provided which is of great utility in cafes, public dining rooms and other places where it is desirable to call the attention of attendants without making noise or contusion.

Having thus fully "described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is 1. A silent gravity signal comprising a base, a hollow standard projecting upward from said base, a rodguided centrally within said standard, a weight adapted to slide up and down within the standard, said weight havinga bore through which the rod passes, a pulley journalled in an element stationary relative to the standard, a cord running-over said pulley, one end of said cord weight, a spring actuated latch for holding the rod in its normally depressed position,

and a housingsign'al member carried by the upper end of the rod.

2. A silent signal comprising a base, a hollow standard, a rod guided centrally within said standard, the upper end thereof pro- ]ecting above the standard, a weight fitted 'to slide up and down in said standard, said weight having a bore through which the rod masses a han er sta'tionar relative to the standard, a pulley journalled in said hanger, a cord running over said pulley, one end of said cord being attached to the weight, the other end thereof being attached to the rod, a handle for depressing the rod, a latch for retaining the rod in its depressed position adapted to release said rod when pushed in one direction, a ball carried by the upper end of the rod, a shade carried by the upper end or the standard said shade concealing said ball from general observation when the latter isv in its normally lowered position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto atfixed my signature.

JOSEPH L. DUNN. 

